Cowichan Tribes is moving forward with a historic step in reclaiming authority over the education of Quw’utsun smun’eem (Cowichan children).
Starting Sept. 22, Cowichan citizens began voting on the adoption of a new Education Law — Squw’utsun’a’lh Sniw’ ’u tu Stutul’na’mut (the Quw’utsun Peoples Teachings for Education) — which is firmly rooted in traditional Quw’utsun cultural teachings.
“This vote is another pivotal moment for our Nation to come together to build a future where our families and culture thrive,” said Chief Cindy Daniels (Sulsulxumaat).
“Through colonization and residential schools, we were denied the right to speak our language and practice our culture, including our knowledge transfer protocols. Now, our people can cast their vote in favour of a law designed to empower our Nation and teach our smun’eem (children) in alignment with our syuw’entst (culture).”
In January, 2022, Cowichan Tribes citizens approved an education jurisdiction agreement and law-making protocol with Canada, formally recognizing the Nation’s inherent authority to govern K-12 education.
This agreement and Cowichan Tribes’ participation in the First Nation Education Authority provides a framework to create laws, develop courses and graduation requirements, certify teachers, and implement policies to deliver education on-reserve, grounded in Quw’utsun syuw’entst (culture) and snuw’uy’ulh (teachings).
The proposed Squw’utsun’a’lh Sniw’ ’u tu Stutul’na’mut (Education Law) affirms this inherent authority and establishes the Quw’utsun Syuw’entst Lelum as the governing body for schools, programs, and education systems.
The law emphasizes community accountability, inclusive and lifelong learning, land-based education, Elder involvement, and supports for students with exceptionalities.
It also reflects the key priorities of self-determination, cultural revitalization, respect, collaboration, and connection to community.
“We are deeply grateful to all who worked together in the spirit of nuts’a’maat shqwaluwun (one heart and one mind) to develop this Education Law, including our Elders, council and advisory committees, staff, and legal team,” said Roxanne Harris, executive director of Quw’utsun Syuw’entst Lelum, Cowichan Tribes’ Education and Culture department.
“Under the provisions of this law, our students will continue to meet provincial education standards, while experiencing a learning environment and curriculum that are enriched by our Hul’q’umi’num’ language, teachings, and culture.”
In 2023, Cowichan Tribes advanced its governance authority with the ratification of the Cowichan Tribes Custom Election Law and the Snuw’uy’ulhtst tu Quw’utsun Mustimuhw u’ tu Shhw’a’luqw’a’ i’ Smun’eem (The Laws of the Cowichan People for Families and Children) – Child and Family Law.
The Education Law represents another milestone in exercising the Nation’s right to govern according to its own laws, values, and traditions.
“We are proud of the significant progress we have made to strengthen our Nation’s self-governance,” said Stephanie Atleo, director of Governance. “This work is about ending the cycles of trauma caused by the Indian Act and colonial governments. Education is central to this journey, as it ensures that the knowledge of our ancestors guides and lives on in the generations to come.”
